Kanan Jarrus was one of the few Jedi who escaped the massacre of Order 66. At the time, he was Jedi Master Depa Billaba’s Padawan. Kanan's survival was arguably one of the most significant for the future of the galaxy, but there are two slightly conflicting s of how his escape happened.

In the beginning of the animated series Star Wars: Rebels, Kanan presents himself as any other rebel on his team, which includes Hera Syndulla, Sabine Wren, Zeb Orrelios, and Chopper the droid. Collectively known as the Ghost crew, the small rebel team disrupts the Imperial presence on Lothal and steals their supplies to give to refugees in hiding.

Kanan fits right in among them, using a blaster and physical fighting tactics, until he unclips two pieces of metal from his belt and connects them to make a lightsaber, revealing himself to be a Jedi.

The First Canon Version of Kanan's Backstory Was Told in a 2015 Comic Series

Kanan--The Last Padawan; Written by Greg Weisman With Art by Pepe Larraz, Jacopo Camagni, and Andrea Broccardo

Prior to the events of Rebels, Kanan spent years hiding his true identity as a Jedi and even his real name--Caleb Dume--that tied him to the Jedi Order. Kanan’s refusal to embrace his Jedi roots is understandable, as he was traumatized during Order 66 when he was just a young Padawan, and lived in fear of anyone uncovering his real nature and executing him for it. Almost immediately after the fall of the Republic, Inquisitors--former Jedi who turned on their own kind to seek vengeance under Darth Vader’s leadership--appeared on the scene to hunt down any survivors of Order 66.

The first of Kanan’s experience and survival during Order 66 is told in the 2015 comic series Kanan--The Last Padawan (later renamed Star Wars: Kanan)--written by Greg Weisman with art by Pepe Larraz, Jacopo Camagni, and Andrea Broccardo. Kanan/Caleb--who was around twelve years old at the time--is fighting on the front line of the Clone Wars with his Master, Depa Billaba. When the fighting halts and a deal is made with the local government that requires the Jedi to leave the next morning, Billaba instructs her command of clone troopers and Kanan to make camp in the wilderness for the night.

Under the cover of darkness, during a normal conversation between the clones and Jedi, the clones receive the directive to implement Order 66 and instantly turn on Kanan is loyal to his Master and does not want to leave her behind, but she insists a final time and watches Kanan run for safety before she is slain. Kanan is pursued by troopers, but manages to escape the planet and evade certain death.

The Bad Batch Incorporates Elements of the Comic, But Changes More Than it Keeps

The Bad Batch Premiered on Disney+ in 2021

While Kanan does not give a full of how he survived Order 66 during Rebels, and instead keeps details very vague, another animated Star Wars series brought Kanan’s ordeal to life. In the series premiere of The Bad Batch, Clone Force 99--the titular Bad Batch--are engaged in a battle alongside Billaba’s troopers and the two Jedi. Once the fighting ends, Kanan goes along with the Bad Batch before hearing the sounds of another fight breaking out in the distance. He backtracks to find the clones under Billaba’s command attempting to kill her as she desperately screams out for Kanan to run.

"The theme of Kanan running away started at that moment in Weisman’s comic and defined his life for years until he met Hera as an adult."

With a heavy heart, the young Padawan obeys his Master’s final order and turns to run, but finds the five troopers--Hunter, Tech, Crosshair, Wrecker, and Echo--rushing forward to help him. Kanan, traumatized by witnessing his Master’s murder at the hands of the clones, is terrified and unaware that Order 66 did not affect these specific troopers. All he can see are five potential enemies who want him dead. He runs in an attempt to escape, but Hunter tries to reason with the young boy, promising to help Kanan, not hurt him. Kanan refuses to believe them and escapes into parts unknown.

Which Version of Kanan's Survival Fits Best Within Star Wars Lore is Up for Debate

Regardless of the Way He Escaped, Order 66 Scarred Kanan for Life

While both versions of events are similar, and both fall within the timeframe that Lucasfilm and Disney consider canon, the choice to retcon Kanan’s experience just enough to work for the plot of The Bad Batch is a questionable move. Including Kanan in the first scene of the entire series can be seen as a tactic used to generate buzz about a brand-new series that had an uncertain future. But on the other hand, as a diehard Rebels fan, unexpectedly seeing Kanan again--still voiced by Freddie Prinze Jr, even as a Padawan--was not only nostalgic, but emotional considering his ultimate fate.

The version of Kanan’s experience in Kanan--The Last Padawan feels more authentic to the characters and the Clone War era, making Kanan’s final moments with his Master even more poignant. Kanan did not want to leave her side, which is why she ordered him--both as his General and his Master--to run. He was not offered help by friendly troopers or given a safe haven with anyone he could ever fully trust, at least until he met Hera. Kanan’s entire character was defined by the moment illustrated in Kanan--The Last Padawan.

Depa Billaba's Orders to Her Padawan Remained With For Years

Kanan Continued to Run for Most of His Life

The theme of Kanan running away started at that moment in Weisman’s comic and defined his life for years until he met Hera as an adult. Even after establishing an authentic and loving relationship with Hera where he was open with her about the truth of his past as a Jedi, Kanan still did not embrace the Force or his true power; a struggle that continued even as he took on Ezra Bridger as a Padawan and trained him as a Jedi.

Throughout the course of Rebels, many people and creatures--including Hera, Ahsoka, the mysterious Bendu, and the loth-wolves--attempted to remind Kanan that he was truly a worthy Jedi. However, a part of Kanan still saw himself as a Padawan who ran away and turned his back on his teachings. Kanan was even given the title of Jedi Knight during an experience in the Jedi Temple on Lothal. Sadly, Kanan did not fully accept his true self as a part of the Force and Jedi Caleb Dume until he prepared to lay down his life.